Before listening to someone else speak in learning or before writing Torah thoughts one should recite Birchos Hatorah. If one is copying a text with no attempt to understand what they are copying, they are not required to recite Birchos Hatorah. One is as well permitted to perform a mitzvah before reciting Birchos Hatorah, and a Rav may give a Halachik ruling before reciting Birchos Hatorah.